Page 86 of Mr. Brightside

I won’t risk everything we’ve built over the last few months by letting him see me at my worst.

If Cory finds out what I gave up so easily, and for no good reason besides wanting to prove to myself that I was capable of feeling something beyond Joe’s disappointment that night…

“I think it would help if we talked about it,” he urges, peering up at me before pushing to his feet. He brushes off his jeans, then reaches out a hand.

I let his arm just hang there and keep my head turned away, ignoring him completely.

“Jake… please. You’re allowed to be upset right now. I know you’re hurting. But you don’t have to hurt alone. This is what a relationship is. When you’re at your lowest, you can count on me. Please talk to me. Let me be here for you.”

“You wouldn’t understand,” I mutter, running my hand down my face to prevent myself from having to actually look him in the eye.

“Try me,” he whispers.

I huff out my self-loathing. “No. I can’t explain it. Not to you, Cory.”

Hurt flashes in his expression at my rejection. But he’s not done.

“Let me in, baby.”

My defenses soften slightly at his insistence—at the way he’s looking at me so ardently. But then I snap back to reality and remind myself what’s at stake.That. That right there. The way he’s looking at me now: I can’t lose that. I won’t.

“Leave it alone, Cory. I’m not doing this with you.”

A flurry of emotions plays on his face as I rise to my feet without taking his hand. He doesn’t move as I brush past him. He isn’t backing down. I pivot on my heel and pace. He needs to go. I’m about to tell him that when my phone vibrates in my pocket.

I mindlessly pull out the device, scrolling past the dozens of missed calls from Cory. How long have I been out here?

Dempsey: Ian McDowell and his friend are still here after last call. I’ve got it under control—just wanted to give you a heads-up.

I see red. Then yellow, then pink, then black. Every color of the rainbow flashes before my eyes as I read Dem’s message over and over again.

There’s a threat in my home. A predator on my turf. Ian McDowell is lingering in my domain. I may never have a shot like this again.

Dempsey’s not some young, naïve kid. I’m not worried about him.

But I still feel compelled to get to the bar. Now. I know an opportunity when I see one.

I assess my husband up and down, shaking my head in frustration.

Fuck.

I wish he hadn’t come here.

“The man who tried to sexually assault me as a kid showed up at the bar tonight.”

Cory’s eyes bug out of his head as he processes my words.

“He’s still there, actually. He’s still sitting at my bar, roosting in my nest, refusing to take a hint that last call meansget the fuck out. So I’ve gotta go.”

“Jake,” he hisses in warning.

I knew he wasn’t going to make this easy.

“Did you talk to him? Does he remember you?” he frantically asks.

The seconds tick by as I stare at the lock screen of my phone. I don’t have a plan. But I need to do this. I just have to figure out how to make Cory loosen his grip so I can get away.

“I didn’t speak to him. He has no idea he’s sitting in the bar of the kid he took advantage of.” I pause before making my intentions clear. “But he’s about to.”